Watching the squad presentation knowing I wasn’t in it was tough, but I have high hopes with Carlo Ancelotti in charge

I am travelling to the United States this week to watch some of the Seleção’s games at the World Cup. I’ll be continuing my daily treatment to recover from the knee injury I suffered in March and, during this routine, I’ll try to experience the competition in a different way. While Rodrygo, a boy from Osasco [a city in the state of São Paulo], recognises the privilege this represents, Rodrygo the player, who took part in the entire qualifying cycle, the Copa América and other matches, has feelings that are difficult to explain.

Ever since our last World Cup game in 2022, when the Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved my penalty and we were eliminated at the quarter-final stage, returning to the tournament wearing the national team jersey has been a desire that has dominated my thoughts on many nights.